New York Now

The New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy unpacks the decarbonization efforts for the Empire State Plaza, emission goals, and climate objectives in the state. State lawmakers have been pushing for a bill that would ban toxic chemicals in beauty products. We dive into the bill's history, regulations at the federal level, and the impact of toxic chemicals on consumers.    EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

The New York Protect Our Courts Act prevents ICE from making courthouse arrests without a judicial warrant. But a lawsuit from the federal justice department is threatening to challenge that law. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D - Senate Judiciary Committee Chair) joins us to unpack the bill and the lawsuit. In the final days of the legislative session, there was energy around the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act. Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D -Environmental Conservation Committee) unpacks the support around the bill and plans to build on its momentum through the summer.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts. New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli joins us to discuss the impact of federal cuts, the financial health of the state and unclaimed funds for New Yorkers. State lawmakers have been pushing for a bill that would allow grocery stores and supermarkets to sell wine in the state. While the bill ultimately did not make it over the legislative finish line, we give a deep dive on the support and opposition.

The newly-confirmed New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Willow Baer joins us to discuss the goals for the office and the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We dive into the push from lawmakers and healthcare advocates  for legislation meant to improve workforce protections for nurses across the state. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo has confirmed his independent campaign for New York City mayor in the general election. The moves comes about one month after Cuomo lost the democratic primary to Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani.   Explore More: nynow.org

The state budget provided $400 million in funding to invest in New York's capital city. State Sen. Pat Fahy (D - 46th State Senate District) joins us to discuss the importance and impact of this investment. The newly-confirmed commissioner of the state Division of Human Rights Denise Miranda unpacks her plans for the agency and the 80th anniversary of the division.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

All eyes were on New York City for the competitive democratic primary for mayor this week.  Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani bested former Gov. Andrew Cuomo for the nomination in a political upset. We sit down with Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, to discuss President Donald Trump's travel ban and the future of the New York for All Act. During the legislative session, there was a push to update the state's 40-year old organ donation statute to allow for multi-listing on transplant lists and other organ donation priorities.  

SUNY Chancellor John King joins us to unpack the threats of federal funding cuts impacting New York's public universities investments from the Fiscal Year 26 state budget. We dive into the end of year traditions at the state capitol - from sneaker day to senate snow cones. The Assembly officially wrapped up session this week. We dive into the last-minute priorities of the lower chamber.  

It was quite the busy week at the state Capitol to close out the 2025 Legislative Session - from Democratic leaders sounding the alarm on federal Medicaid cuts to Rep. Elise Stefanik taking aim at Gov. Kathy Hochul. We'll unpack the news driving the last week of session with Alex Gault, of the Watertown Daily Times and Northern New York Newspapers, and Jeongyoon Han, of WXXI and the New York Public News Network. We dive into the history and support Kyra's Law - a bill that would requires courts to evaluate abuse allegations and safety risks in deciding custody and visitation for children.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

On This Week's Edition Catch this week's show on your local PBS member station, or watch on YouTube, Facebook, or using the free PBS app anytime after Friday. A podcast version is available wherever you normally get podcasts. Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado has launched a campaign for governor - officially challenging his boss Gov. Kathy Hochul in the 2026 Democratic Primary. We discuss Delgado's campaign and the political implication with Rebecca Lewis of City and State New York. State Senate Finance Committee Chair Liz Krueger (D - Manhattan) unpacks this year's state budget and the possibility of lawmakers making a return to the capitol later this year to address federal cuts. State lawmakers have been pushing to improve access to women's health products. We dive into their efforts and the lack of implementation of current state law.

As the legislative session come to a close in the next few weeks, lawmakers and advocates are spending the final days pushing for a slew of policy initiatives they'd like to get passed. One such bill is the Medical Aid in Dying Act. After years of rallying, advocates were happy to see it passed for the first time in the Assembly chamber a few weeks ago. But it's unclear whether or not it will make any movement in the state Senate before the end of session. State Sen. James Skoufis (D-Orange County) joins us to unpack how interchange fees on state taxes and tips are hurting small businesses in the state.   Explore More: nynow.org

We sit with State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) to discuss a push for the 21st Century Antitrust Act which would work to increase state regulation on monopolies in the state and Senate Democrats' priorities through the end of the year. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) joins us to unpack the FY '26 state budget, controversial bills in the lower chamber and the possibility of extending the legislative session.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Lawmakers vote on budget bills, finalizing the state budget 38 days after the April 1 deadline, making it the latest budget in more than a decade. State Sen. April Baskin (D—Erie County) discusses pay disparities in the state, legislative actions taken to address the issue, and how she plans on leading the fight for pay equity. We dive into the mental health crisis, policies intended to target some challenges within the issue, and howit impacted budget negotiations between state leaders.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have reached a general state budget agreement three weeks after the initial deadline. However, state leaders are working on a few outstanding issues, and lawmakers still need to pass budget bills before the final budget can officially be enacted. We unpack the details of the agreement with Jimmy Vielkind of WNYC and Austin C. Jefferson of City & State. State Sen. Rachel May (D - Chair of Consumer Protection Committee and Legislative Commission on Rural Resources) joins us to unpack consumer protection and environmental priorities this year.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

While the state budget is three weeks late, New York voters seem to back the many policy items that Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing to be included in the budget. The governor saw positive job approval and favorability ratings for the first time in over a year. Sanford Berland, executive director of the state commission on ethics and lobbying in government, joins us to discuss the body's plans ahead and budget asks. We look at the state's approach to teaching DEI schools at a time when the federal government is looking to ban schools K-12 from approaching DEI in their curriculum.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

While the state budget is several days late, a breakthrough on discovery reform have pushed negotiations forward. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie met with five New York City DAs and settled on a deal rooted in compromise. State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Senate Labor Committee Chair) talks state budget progress and a bill meant to stop the state from having to pay federal taxes in the event of cuts from Washington. The transition to one single intermediary for New Yorkers enrolled in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program has been far from smooth. State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (D-Chair of the Senate Health Committee) unpacks the issues.   EXPLORE MORE; nynow.org

It's been over a week since the April 1st deadline and state budget negotiations have stalled because of discovery reform! Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie introduced a bill that would allow lawmakers to get paid when the budget is late due to policy. We're joined by Patrick Orecki, director of state studies with the Citizens Budget Commission, to unpack the calls from good government groups for more transparency in the state budget process for New Yorkers. State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez (D - Chair of Internet and Technology Committee) joins us to discuss artificial intelligence regulatory priorities at the Capitol this year.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

The April 1st budget deadline came and went this week - with leader unable to come to an agreement. We give an update on where negotiations stand. With the threat of federal funding cuts looming, we dive into their impact on budget negotiations and how New York leaders are prepping for those cuts. Assembly Member Amy Paulin (D - Assembly Health Committee Chair) - joins us for an comprehensive discussion on abortion access in the state.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

We sit down on with Assembly Labor Committee Chair Harry Bronson (D - Monroe County) the push for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit and other labor priorities in the state budget. President Donald Trump has moved to dismantle the federal education department - potentially putting funding for pell grants in limbo. We unpack the concerns around these cuts and the push to get increased funding for tuition assistance.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

The budget "mothership" has landed! State lawmakers convened for the General Budget Conference Committee meeting this week ahead of the April 1st budget deadline. Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (D - East Flatbush) joins us to discuss state support for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses. The New York Public News Network is looking at the 5-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. We examine the impact of the science that led to the creation of the vaccines.   EXPLORE MORE: nynow.org

The Assembly and State Senate released their respective one-house budget proposals officially kicking off budget negotiations. We dive into lawmakers' approach to affordability this year - centered around housing, tax credits and wages. State Sen. Kevin Parker (D - Chair, Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee) joins us to discuss the push to help New Yorkers against high utility rates.   Explore More: nynow.org